Author Topic: Spare rims for winter tires  (Read 5303 times)

Le Poisson

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Spare rims for winter tires
« on: April 02, 2015, 09:10:24 AM »
I have always maintained that having a spare set of rims for winter tires is a better investment than paying $40 twice a year for the local garage to mount/balance tires. So far its worked great.

But when I got my new car, that equilibrium was upset. The new car has a new bolt pattern on the rims, (5X105) which makes getting rims at $25ea from the wreckers an unlikely proposition.

Princess Auto (like Harbor Freight) has a tire-changing machine available for $89.00+TAX = $100.57 but that adds a level of complexity to swapping the tires spring and fall, and honestly the unknown scares me. I really don't want to destroy a rim or a bead by trying to mount my own tires. I may be off base on this. Reviews are good on it, but it will scratch aluminium wheels. http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/8-to-16-in-tire-changer/A-p2050002e - pays for itself in 1.5 years, takes up a lot of floor space.

On craigslist, I've found a set of rims for my car for $250 (new ones are $120 each). These are 16" rims and my winters are 15" - I like consistency, but this isn't a big issue since I need to replace the summer tires anyways. - Pays for itself in 3.5 years, fits on existing tire rack.

So I guess the question is, what is the better approach...

1. Buy nothing and visit the mechanic twice a year at $40 a pop
2. Spend $100 for a tire mounter and learn a new skill.
3. Spend $250 for rims and keep on with the existing system.

kaizen soze

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2015, 09:38:42 AM »
I'm not a big fan of buying a big machine I'm only going to use twice a year.  I think I'm indifferent to choices 1 and 3.  If having your own set of rims has worked well for you in the past, maybe stick with that approach.  That way you don't have to deal with the tire shop twice a year.  And the extra set of rims should last the life of your car.

MountainBeard

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2015, 09:45:24 AM »
I'd buy extra rims, simply because I wouldn't want to mount/dismount them that many times - every time you swap tires there's a risk of damaging the rim or the bead.

If you want to try it yourself a tire mounter would likely make this easier, but you can also make use of a set of tire irons (I prefer the spoon type).  Also, don't forget to balance them if you go this route.

TheFixer

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2015, 09:59:50 AM »
What the Beard said above ^.

Mounting/demounting tires on wheels is just asking to F- up tires and/or wheels.  Plus they should be balanced every time.

Buy 4 cheap used wheels off ebay or CL or the SSJY.
« Last Edit: April 02, 2015, 10:21:25 AM by TheFixer »

BlueMR2

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #4 on: April 02, 2015, 10:00:39 AM »
I'd buy extra rims, simply because I wouldn't want to mount/dismount them that many times - every time you swap tires there's a risk of damaging the rim or the bead.

This, I've had some expensive tires damaged while swapping between wheels.  The less you mount/dismount, the better.

schimt

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2015, 10:35:07 AM »
What is the bolt pattern of  your old wheels? The make adapters that will allow you to use a different bolt pattern. Not all applications will work, but its another option. You have to be careful with offset as well to make sure the tires don't rub on the fenders or wheel wells.

Le Poisson

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2015, 11:09:09 AM »
You guys are all leaning in the same direction I am. So new rims it is. While I like the idea of learning to mount my own tires, and balancing with dynabeads doesn't sound all that hi-tech, the risk of damaging the rims/tires in the process scares me off.

SO I guess that means I'm doing a road trip this weekend!

Le Poisson

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2015, 02:51:30 PM »
As if on queue...

Hit a curb this afternoon (cut off by someone who evidently never learned to check their blindspot) and trashed one of my rims. Dealer wants $282 for one frickin' rim. Wrecker wants $197.75.

Ugh. Desperately searching craigslist.

HipGnosis

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2015, 02:59:14 PM »
How about a hybrid approach?
Since the wheels for the new car are rare (now); have the snow tires put on your current wheels this winter and then put the 'summer' tires back on the wheels next spring.
Then, over that summer, shop around for used wheels - it's likely there will be more available then, so lower priced.

Also, before spending $200 on a wheel, look into having it repaired.  It's a lot more common than it used to be.   

Syonyk

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2015, 05:31:00 PM »
Can you find steel rims on Tire Rack?  They might be cheaper.

Le Poisson

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2015, 06:32:37 PM »
Just found out that wreckers in Detroit have the OEM rims for my car at $35 each. Suddenly the land of the free sounds pretty appealing. Looks like another road trip is in order. Also found a set of steelies for winter for $100 about 5 hours north of me.

How many hours of driving is $300 worth?

Syonyk

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2015, 06:42:11 PM »
... where in Detroit?  I'm not sure I'd want to go there, myself. :)

paddedhat

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Re: Spare rims for winter tires
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2015, 05:43:45 AM »
I went through this headache last fall. The car is a Scion TC with 17" rims.  I decided to go with a recommendation from Tirerack, and reduce the size of the whole package to 15" rims and winter tires. They sell 15" steel rims for $50 each, and a decent General Artic Max tire for $69.  This combination was a total of $16 more than buying the matching 17" snow tires alone. I then asked my local tire shop to match the deal, and they did. Local yards here want $50  (or more) for used steel rims, and the cheapest advertised price for a 205/15 winter tire is typically $20 more than I paid, so I think it was a fair deal.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!